Of all the new openings last year, the one that impacted me most was Sushi Tetsu (no surprise there), followed very closely by Kitchen Table. “Kitchen where?”, I hear you say. Since its launch, Bubbledogs has had a permanent throng camped outside, yet remarkably the 19-seater tucked behind a velvet curtain at the back of the restaurant has remained relatively unknown. Hot dogs may be what draws the crowds in, but the real jewel of the place is the Kitchen Table where James Knappett (ex-Per Se, Noma and Marcus Wareing) serves guests a refined 12-course tasting menu each evening. And no, none of those courses feature a dog and bun.

It’s a concept completely new to London. Diners, who take one of two sittings, perch on leather swivel chairs dotted around a sleek counter that wraps around the open kitchen, where Knappett and his team cook and plate up. Interaction is encouraged – the chefs describe each dish in detail as it is placed and happily answer any questions. Menu items change often to reflect market freshness and seasonality – on the four occasions I dined at KT there have been very few repeats. Each meal has steadily improved and the dinner below which we had towards the end of last year was truly superb.

Cornwall Shrimp with Dill Oil and Horseradish got things off to a good start – creamy raw shrimp accentuated by the gentle heat of horseradish and mild aniseed notes from the dill. The fresh hit from the horseradish snow awoke our senses in preparation for the meal ahead.

Venison, Rose Yoghurt, Fresh Pine, Wild Mushrooms and shaved Chestnuts was another well-considered dish, and the quality of the 1 year old roe deer meat really shone.

A cheese course of Goat’s Curd, Toast and Shallots was delicious and reminiscent (on the palate) of shallot tarte tatin.

After a refreshing palate cleanser of rose hip granita and elderflower yoghurt came the first of two desserts – a whole Caramalised Fig with Fig Leaf Ice Cream and Crème Fraîche Mousse.

Warm Apple Cake with Dehydrated Apple and Bay Leaf Ice Cream was gorgeous. The bay leaf is unexpected but works incredibly well in this comforting yet sophisticated pud.

One final sweet treat of Dark Chocolate-coated Blackberry Marshmallow (sort of a luxe teacake) brought the 3 hour meal to a delightful close.

With this dinner we opted for wine pairings, expertly chosen by Sandia (James’ wife and restaurant manager), but have also plumped for whole bottles in the past – the carefully curated list is eclectic and boasts some rare and unusual gems, especially where grower champagnes are concerned.

If you have yet to step behind the curtain, I urge you to book in for what I think is currently one of the most exciting dining experiences in town. The dinner theatre aspect is novel but in no way gimmicky, the cooking spot-on, and the service (from Jack, the head waiter) friendly yet professional and unobtrusive. If nothing else, you’ll get a kick from walking straight to the front of the queue!

Amidst all the flurry of travel eating last year, my beloved London didn’t get much airtime on the blog. Here are some local spots that slipped through the cracks – brace yourself, it’s gonna be a long one!

Judging by the queues snaking out of Bubbledogs there are few left in London who haven’t heard of the 4 month old hot dog and champagne bar. The dogs are great (I am partial to the Breakie with a fried egg, tomato relish and black pudding) but for me the real draw is the extensive list of rare grower champagnes. If standing in line isn’t your thing, book a seat at their Kitchen Table which offers an incredible multi-course dinner eaten on a long counter table surrounding the open kitchen.

A couple of streets from Bubbledogs you’ll find Yaki. Skip the pre-made okonomiyaki that don’t taste particularly authentic and the rice burgers, which although tasty, fall apart in the hand. Instead pop in for a Taiyaki (fish-shaped cake with various fillings) – they’re cute to look at and the one I sampled hot from the cast iron mold was pretty good (stick to the traditional azuki bean filling).

After years bemoaning the lack of ramen bars in the city, we got hit by a tsunami of them in 2012. Having tried all the main players – Tonkotsu, Ittenbari, Shoyru and Bone Daddies – I’d say the latter tops the list with a intensely-flavoured (albeit a tad too thick) broth, chewy strands and wide choice of both toppings and ramen. That said, none come close to the addictive bowls I slurped in the shoebox haunts off the side streets of Tokyo.

Despite the rising popularity of ramen, burgers were still very big news last year with more temporary outfits setting up brick and mortar outlets than ever. Oldtimer MeatLiquor is still a firm favourite (I’ve yet to try their brand-spanking-new contingent in the East), but newbie Patty & Bun is definitely giving them a run for their money with the resplendent Ari Gold.

Another pop-up that took up more permanent digs is Disco Bistro which has moved into the top floor of The Rising Sun pub for the next 6 months. I wasn’t convinced by the lacklustre over-priced lunch I had upstairs, but their trashy bar menu (which hadn’t launched at the time of my visit) does sounds interesting, although not enough to tempt me back.

Talented Ben Spalding (ex-head chef of Roganic) also started a half-year residency at John Salt but within weeks the partnership dissolved and now Neil Rankin (formerly Pitt ‘Cue) holds court. I was lucky enough to try the promising 12-courses before his departure and am glad that he’s slated to open his own place towards the end of this year – fingers crossed the brilliant 35 ingredient salad will find its way on the menu.

Further afield in Dalston, I had some delicious frozen Hibiscus Margaritas and moreish Ginger & Soy Hot Wings at the hip Rita’s Bar & Dining. Their famous Fried Chicken Roll boasted juicy thigh meat coated in a well-seasoned crunchy crust, but the bread roll it was nestled in was rock hard and cried out for more sriracha aioli.

Closer to home, I tried Lebanese joint Beirut Express which also delivered some expertly charcoal-grilled meats, as well as some excellent cold and hot mezza.

Back to a few of the newer openings. Modern Greek Mazi in Notting Hill is a sweet little space with an alfresco area perfect for balmy summer evenings. I loved the jars of Spanakopita, Tarama and Grilled Aubergine but the hot plates were less successful. Feta Tempura with Lemon Marmalade and Caper Meringue was particularly odd – the batter was thick and greasy, and the sweet accompaniments rendered it more of a dessert than a main.

Many are enamoured with Duck & Waffle, perched atop Heron Tower. The panoramic views at the all-day restaurant are indeed magnificent but I had mixed feelings about the food. Tasty sharing plates of Chip Shop Cod Tongues and BBQ-spiced Crispy Pig Ears were fun and an Octopus with Chorizo, Lemon and Capers was stunning, but the Foie Gras “All Day Breakfast” and Bacon wrapped Dates stuffed with Linguica Sausage were both too rich and heavy for my taste.

Not technically new, but it has recently changed head chefs, is Provençale bistro Cassis. Massimiliano Blasone’s (former executive chef of Heinz Beck’s Apsleys) skill shines through in the deftly-plated Southern France-inspired food. The Rum Baba, served with chantilly cream and a choice of three rums, was simply superb.

I’m eagerly awaiting the launch of Isaac McHale’s The Clove Club and am thrilled he’ll be bringing the awesome Buttermilk-fried Chicken in Pine Salt, a mainstay on the Upstairs at Ten Bells menu, with him.

With a similarly laid-back vibe but an airier, brighter space is Elliot’s near Borough Market. I enjoyed fried chicken and various puds there but the best thing by far was their cheeseburger, available only at weekday lunches.

On the higher end of the spectrum is HKK, the latest offering from the Hakkasan group. Refreshing though it was to sample a tasting menu of reworked Cantonese banquet dishes, I felt there was a slight lack of finesse for the level of cuisine the restaurant is trying to achieve. I did however enjoy the majority of the savoury courses and wouldn’t rule out a return trip.

Also swanky, but serving food from a different continent is Il Ristorante at the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge. Decked out in leather and mahogany the dining room feels cold and more like a jewellery showroom – a shame as the contemporary Italian food was quite lovely. Fresh-tasting antipasti, al dente pasta delicately sauced and thoughtfully garnished, and even a number of options specifically marked for the health-conscious which were surprisingly delicious.

One tube stop away The Grill at The Dorchester, in its tartan-clad glory, hinted at a much more traditional menu than it actually serves. Sure there is Black Angus Beef and Grilled Dover Sole but also a thoroughly modern (and very good) starter of Glazed Calves Sweetbreads, Crispy Chicken Wings and Sourdough Bread.

Fellow old-school establishment The Ritz featured well-executed French dishes (some more precisely than others) that were pleasant but didn’t leave much of an impression. The opulent but somewhat tired decor and stiff service didn’t help.

In contrast the minimal St John Hotel in Chinatown immediately sets the diner at ease and the simple, produce-led British fare is always a pleasure. You can’t go wrong with the Devilled Pig’s Skin & Smoked Cod’s Roe, anything offaly (loved the Snails, Duck Hearts & Lovage) and the freshly-baked Madeleines. Doughnuts, when available, are a must.

A less conventional hotel dining experience was the 2-week long Noma pop-up at Claridges during the Olympics. The controversial Ants and Cabbage course sparked much conversation at the table but failed to tantalise our taste buds. Better by far was the whimsical take on afternoon tea (scones with caviar, clotted cream and raspberry tea) and the melt-in-the mouth slow-roasted Romney Marsh neck of lamb.

Properly good Sunday pub roasts can be hard to come by but I was very satisfied by the one crowned with a behemoth yorkshire pud at The Thatched House. Their giant scotch eggs are pretty special too.

Slightly posher brunch venue The Wolseley served up an exemplary Full English, although those hungover may miss the grease of the standard fry-up! I was also impressed with their Cannelés Bordelais – gorgeous caramelised crust, moist centre and a snip at £1.75 for a pair!

I can’t get through a fortnight without a dim sum fix, and Dragon Palace in Earl’s Court is a worthy weekend yum cha venue. All the dumplings we tried tasted freshly-made; turnip cake had good flavour and texture, as did the pan-fried cheung fun. Admittedly their xiao long bao and fried squid cakes weren’t up to par, but all was forgiven after a spoonful of homemade Tofu Fa – a silky beancurd dessert with ginger syrup that is hard to come by here in London.

I’ve long been wary of the restaurants in Chinatown but new discovery Old Town 97 plates up the best Braised Beef Brisket and Tendon Noodles I’ve had in London. The handful of other cooked dishes I tried were good too – added bonus, its cheap and open till late.

A stone’s throw away at Quo Vadis the much-talked-about Smoked Eel and Horseradish Sandwich lived up to its reputation. Everything else for me however was just so-so, unsurprising I guess as I wasn’t a massive fan of Jeremy Lee’s cooking while he was at BluePrint Café either.

To end off, a Vietnamese I’ve frequented on and off for the past few years, Saigon Saigon. The quality at this cavernous restaurant (they even have a downstairs bar) sometimes varies, but on the whole the appetisers like chargrilled quail, sugarcane prawns and banh cuon are flavourful, and the noodle offerings (our favourites are the beef pho and bún bò huế) solid. Plus, it saves us the trek to the Kingsland Road!

Barcelona is a fantastic city to visit. Markets overflowing with incredible produce, awesome architecture, friendly locals, bountiful sunshine, and of course, some excellent eating establishments. On our most recent jaunt there we ate well at Moments, Rias de Galicia, Tapas 24 and in particular, ABaC, which I feel deserves a special mention here.

This was our second time at the restaurant (housed in a sleek boutique hotel of the same name), but the first with chef Jordi Cruz at the helm. Having previously held a Michelin star at both Estany Clar and L’Angle de Sant Fruitós de Bages, Cruz has impressively managed to attain two coveted stars for ABaC in the short span of two years since he took the reins in 2010.

We chose “The ABaC”, one of the two tasting menus on offer (à la carte is also available) which began with amuse-bouches of Melon Mojito (mint sorbet, rum jelly, syrup-soaked melon and lime sugar-dusted sugarcane) and Iranian Caviar topped Frozen Sour Yoghurt Lollipops, made in front of us.

Bread with Tomato, Avocado and Anchovies looked sloppy, but was an appetising bite.

Prawns cooked on a slab of heated salt at the table were beautiful on their own, but sadly overwhelmed by the accompaniments of hazelnuts (cooked to resemble chickpeas in both appearance and texture), Iberian pork nuggets, citron aioli and rich fideua jus.

Mediterranean Tuna Belly with Ponzu Sauce, Kumquat Skin, Mizuna, Zucchini with Olive Oil and Spicy Root Purée was great concept-wise but needed tweaking – the thin sheets of ponzu jelly were overly salty and didn’t allow the fish within to shine.

The star of the night was the Kid Goat, slow-cooked in cider at 63°C for 24 hours. The meat was fall-apart tender and perfectly paired with earthy mushrooms, sweet cider apples and tart apple foam. Exceptional.

Desserts were no less accomplished. A mélange of Lime, Coconut, Meringue, White Chocolate, Yoghurt and Ginger, was light and refreshing.

“On a Bed of Smoked Bread Brittle, Roast Biscuit, Banana, Coffee, Vanilla and Bourbon” came in two parts – glazed cubes of sweet bread bathed in a sea of bourbon smoke, and a plate of coffee cookie and biscuit crumbs, caramelised banana, vanilla ice cream, lightly misted with the same bourbon.

We both enjoyed this immensely, especially the bread which tasted like rum baba, but with bourbon (obviously).

To finish were a platter of petits fours and a couple of extra sweet treats – airy yoghurt granita and “lipsticks” of strawberry ice.

ABaC was a great all-round experience. Aside from the playful well-composed dishes, the service was impeccable, and the dining room beautiful. There’s even rooms or a spa to roll off to after your meal should you choose to stay at the hotel. If searching for fine-dining in Barcelona, this place should be at the top of your list.

With daylight hours still short as ever, my thoughts have been drifting frequently to the sunshine-soaked holidays of last year. Vibrant Miami, tranquil Maldives and the one that left the biggest impression of all – our virgin visit to New England, or more specifically the seaside idylls of Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod.

We flew into Boston, stayed a couple of days (lovely city but we weren’t blown away by what weate there), then jumped in a rental for the two hour journey to our one night digs in the Cape, stopping to refuel at the awesome Lobster Trap in Bourne along the way.

What a feast it was. Clam Chowder chockfull of shellfish, crispy fried Whole Belly Clams and of course the Lobster for which they are known, steamed, and served with corn on the cob, potato salad and clarified butter.

It was so good I returned for a Lobster Roll the next day after lunch at J.T’s Seafood. Warm toasted buttery brioche loaded with sweet freshly-picked lobster meat lightly dressed in mayo – delicious, and far better than the disappointing one we had at our aforementioned lunch venue.

A ferry ride away in Martha’s Vineyard we got stuck into more lobster at Atria. A 4 lb (2 kg) monster stuffed with scallops, crab, prawns and MORE lobster and baked with a parmesan breadcrumb topping. From its weight our dinner was roughly 15 years old, so we didn’t expect the flesh to be as sweet and succulent as it was. Definitely some of the best lobster we had ever eaten, and a steal at $100.

At the The Port Hunter we had an enjoyable casual meal of mussels, yellowfin tuna egg rolls, (yet another) lobster roll and a nice selection of local oysters.

Quaint little clam shack The Bite was a fried seafood haven, and just a short stroll from the pretty Menemsha coastline.

After a short wait (everything is fried to order) we grabbed our brown takeout bags and got stuck in at the nearby beachside tables. The fried clams served with a small obligatory pot of tartare sauce were spot on – plump meaty morsels enrobed in a light golden batter.

Surprisingly our favourite deep-fried treat weren’t of the shellfish variety at all, but the chicken wings which were moist, juicy and coated in the same well-seasoned batter.

It wasn’t all seafood on the trip. We fell in love with the super-sized sandwiches at Skinny’s Fat Sandwiches – their delicious marinara-slathered Chicken Parm and French Dip brimful of sliced roast beef served with two pots of gravy, were both incredible.

But it was the cheesy meat-packed Cuban (roasted pork loin, virginia ham, swiss cheese, pickles and chipotle mayo in a toasted french roll) that totally stole the show. YUM.

Having dragged out these Tokyo posts for far longer than necessary, I’m finally wrapping things up today with Nihonryori RyuGin, Seiji Yamamoto’s much-lauded Roppongi restaurant that gained its third star from Michelin last year and currently holds 29th position on the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best list. The more observant among you will notice Les Créations de Narisawa and Seryna Honten have remained unwritten – those I’ve snuck onto Facebook, along with other meals both in London and abroad that for one reason or another never made it onto the blog.

Ok enough Facebook page pimping. Back to the meal at hand, and a very fine one at that.

We opened with Charcoal Grilled Horse Clam and Icefish flavoured with Ume. The clam was meaty, and the light fish tempura crisp and greaseless, with only a subtle hint of sour plum as to not overwhelm its delicate taste.

Next was a duo of dishes – White Asparagus with White Shrimp, and Fresh Sea Urchin with Lace Wrapping.

The first was elegant and restrained, while the latter – rich uni wrapped in shiso and encased in crumbly batter – was punchy both in flavour and texture. A great contrasting pair.

Ichiban Dashi Soup with Greenling Fish and Pea Egg-Tofu was a nourishing soul-warmer – fragranced with a whisper of Miyoga, it demonstrated a real lightness of touch.

The day’s Sashimi selection included Sea Bream and Soy with Cherry Blossom, Tea-Smoked Bonito with Japanese Mustard, Squid with Nori, Lime and Salt, and Squid Fins with Pea Shoots. All spanking-fresh and beautifully accentuated by their respective accompaniments.

Rice Simmered in Sakura Tea with Sakura Shrimp from Surugawan Bay, Pickles and Shrimp Broth Red Miso Soup was again, beautifully composed. The shrimp, intensified in flavour by a brief round in the deep-fryer, complimented the fragrant mound of sticky rice.

There was the option of an extra dish before sweets, which naturally we took. And we were pleased we did – vibrant green al dente strands of handmade matcha soba noodles served with wasabi and traditional tsuyu (dipping sauce).

After the simplicity of the noodle course the skillfully-crafted whimsical strawberry dessert took me by surprise. The pretty pink “-196°C Candy Strawberry” arrived to the table whole.

We were then asked to gently tap it to break open the translucent paper-thin sugar shell, revealing nitro-frozen strawberry sherbet.

A “+99°C Strawberry Jam” was then spooned over it to complete the dish. The combination of warm strawberries, cold sherbet and crisp sugar shards made for a delightfully playful mouthful.

To finish was Roppongi Pudding (essentially a crème caramel) presented sealed in custom jars with a frothy bowl of matcha. A lovely end to an incredible dinner – impeccably sourced seasonal ingredients paired with technically faultless cooking that is both forward-thinking and steeped in tradition.

After the Omotesando Koffee post it seems appropriate to follow with something sweet, more specifically the unique vegetable-based desserts of Aya Kakisawa at the colourful Pâtisserie Potager. A vegetarian herself, the Japanese and French-trained chef only uses locally-sourced organic produce at the Nakameguro shop.

Creations such as White Asparagus and Tea Mousse Cake, Lemon and Beetroot Tart and Rocket Jelly and Black Sesame with Soy Milk Mousse, are labelled in English with more in-depth descriptions in Japanese that feature ratings of healthiness, sweetness levels and strength of vegetable taste.

Curiosity led us to try not one (or two), but five of the treats on offer. Leek Baked Cheesecake had a nice dense creamy consistency but little actual leek taste.

The moussier Avocado Cheesecake although pleasant, was again muted in flavour.

More successful were the Tomato Shortcake and Pumpkin Chiffon. The former was really rather good – the sweet tomato slices a surprisingly excellent match for freshly whipped cream and cloud-like sponge. The golden-hued chiffon was equally light and fluffy with a rich pumpkin flavour.

Potato Mont Blanc was intriguing – the traditional chestnut cream was substituted with one made with spuds. I wasn’t immediately taken with it as the previous two, but it did grow on me (I still prefer the original though).

Aside from the refrigerated cakes and pastries, there are also a wide selection of cookies, madeleines, and vegetable drinks to choose from. We sampled some savoury green vegetable and cereal cookies (pictured with the mont blanc) which were highly addictive.

Not all of chef Kakisawa’s unusual offerings may have worked, but the bustling shop is certainly worth a visit, although it is a bit of a schlep. Be sure to have a well-marked map with you – our taxi driver meandered around the area in circles for a good 20 minutes before finally locating it.

One of my favourite discoveries in Tokyo wasn’t a restaurant at all, but a coffee kiosk the size of a box room hidden in the maze of residential streets between Omotesando and Gaienmae. Sitting on the ground floor of a tiny 60 year-old abode (a rare book museum occupies the space upstairs), Omotesando Koffee was initially intended as a temporary set-up but its popularity has led to it becoming a more permanent fixture.

Owner and barista Eiichi Kunitomo originally hails from Osaka and honed his craft in Naples before returning to bring espresso back to his native Japan. He is quite a character and clearly enjoys the interaction with customers in the intimate space. Upon learning I was from London, Kunitomo spoke wistfully about his visit there and the coffees he enjoyed at Flat White and Milk Bar. According to him, despite espresso culture slowly taking off in Tokyo, filter coffee still rules the roost there.

A selection of coffees, hot and cold are available, with a couple of chocolate and booze (Baileys) enhanced numbers for the non-purists.

Design-wise everything from the logo to the kiosk itself takes its shape from a cube, and even the koffee kashi he bakes daily take that form (more about those sweets later).

My cappuccino doppio was a fine specimen indeed with a lovely aroma, slight bitter edge and light frothy head of steamed milk.

The accompanying golden cubes (deceptively named “Baked Custard”) were in actuality canelés, with a gorgeous caramelised crust and moist custardy innards. A touch sweet on its own, but perfect washed down with Kunitomo’s brew. I bit into mine and immediately ordered another.

Aside from coffee and baked custard there are bags of coffee beans available for purchase, as well as a quirky “cup of coffee” made from coffee grounds to take home and display on the mantelpiece.

We savoured our coffees in the pretty courtyard – a tranquil haven for locals or savvy tourists wishing to rest their feet after hitting the nearby Omotesando shops. If you’re planning a trip to Maisen (and why wouldn’t you be) just around the corner, definitely make a detour here for a post Tonkatsu pick-me up. Go soon too, as the owner of the house has plans to demolish the building and Kunitomo will then bring his concept on the road – his dream locations can be found whimsically listed on the opening page of his website (London, sadly does not feature).